Bass Guitar String Bangle Bracelets

Introduction: Bass Guitar String Bangle Bracelets

I used some old nickel bass guitar strings to make some bangles for my girlfriend who plays bass. These are great for anyone who plays guitar or bass, and if you can catch a bass player changing strings, you have your materials for free!

Materials:

Old guitar strings (must be wound, bass strings work best) *****

Wire cutters

Ruler

Soldering iron (and solder)

File or rasp

Coffee mug or other round glass or ceramic dish or cup

White vinegar or rubbing alcohol

**Note: I had no luck with steel strings, the nickel wound strings from companies like D'Addario should work well though.

Step 1: Clean and Prepare Strings

Use either vinegar or rubbing alcohol to clean the strings. Make them nice and shiny!

Using wire cutters, cut the ends off as well, both the tight coil at the top, and the part with the ball. Save the ball end though, we'll use that later!

Step 2: Cut Strings to Length

This may take a bit of trial and error at first, but you need to figure out the length to cut the strings to make each bangle. We will be placing the string into the coffee mug to hold it in a circle while we solder it, so I did this by holding the string up to the top of the mug and making an initial cut. Then I placed it in, and looked at how much more I needed to cut. Once I trimmed it to the perfect size, I made a mark on my ruler to make the process easier.

Step 3: Place Strings in Mug, and Solder

This is where you would add the ball end (or any other beads you want) to make it extra cool. After that, place the string in the mug, and make sure the ends line up.

Now, be careful here, as the small opening of the mug inevitably means you're close to your soldering iron.

Wait until your iron is fully heated, and go for it! Don't be afraid to put a little extra solder on the joint, we'll use the file to take that off in a bit.

Make sure to wait a minute or so to let the solder fully harden before you take the string out.

Step 4: True It Up and File It

When you take it out, it may need some slight bending to make sure that it's a nice circle.

Put some weight on it too, make sure your solder joint will hold up.

Then, file down any excess solder from the joint.

Step 5: Wear and Be Stylish!

That's it! You could wire wrap them if you want to hide the joint, or wear it as is and own your fancy DIY rock style.

Enjoy! Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments! (on my first instructable!)

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Very cool! Also to clean them, you might consider the poor music student's trick of boiling them (usually not to make bangles, but to get them playable enough to reinstall until you get some more $- they're expensive!)

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